Behavior

Every student in the classroom and within the school have the right to expect a safe and orderly learning environment where every student can strive for their learning. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting a sense of responsibility, respect, good citizenship and consideration of the right of others. Our school wide conduct guidelines seek to establish clear expectations for student behavior in the school setting. They also promote awareness and understanding of the disciplinary policy throughout the entire school community (students, staff and parents), and identify the range of applicable consequences to be administered for violations of this disciplinary code.

Students play an active role in these guidelines and have a few responsibilities to ensure that every student within the school has the right to feel safe and learn. Students are responsible for knowing and following rules for safe and respectful behavior throughout the areas of the school (regular and specialist classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria, playground, bus, etc.). Students have the responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner which is not self-destructive or in any way violates the rights (to learn, feel safe, be treated with courtesy and respect) of their peers or teachers.

As the classroom teacher, I am responsible for maintaining classroom discipline and appropriate behavior by my students in all areas of the school including the classroom, bathrooms, cafeteria, etc. Most discipline problems can be handled within the classroom in partnership with parents. I believe that discipline is always about learning and changing behavior so that students learn from their mistakes.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting a sense of responsibility, good citizenship, and consideration for the rights of others. The school will not tolerate rudeness or violence in any form. Should student action necessitate referral to the office and to inform the Administration of the nature of the infraction. The Administration will provide appropriate action based on a review of the situation. Some situations will be settled without parent involvement so that students can begin to be responsible to change their behavior and build confidence in their skills. Administration is responsible for establishing or approving general school and classroom rules and regulations. They serve as a resource to both teachers and parents in improving student behavior. In instances where the teacher and parent have been unable to effect a positive change, the Administration will become more directly involved in the disciplinary process, and parents will be informed and asked to help and partner with the school.

Dealing with the Negative Behavior of Other Students

As parents, you can help your child(ren) deal with persistent negative behavior by:

● supporting your child’s feeling and offering suggestions for the child to try on his/her own to ‘walk away, play with someone else, tell them to stop, etc.’,

● encourage your child to seek adult help,

● maintain an open, ongoing dialogue about a social problem,

● alert the school if interventions have not been effective, and

● reinforce your child’s right to learn, work, and play at school without fear of physical or emotional harm.

More information regarding the behavior policy within the Brookline School District can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook.